Three things to consider before changing career
Thinking about changing career? Here are three things you need to consider first.
Perhaps you’ve been on maternity leave and dread the thought of going back to the old daily grind? Or maybe you’ve gone back to work and feel differently about your job, now that you’re a mum?
Whatever has made you feel like you want a change of direction, there are a few things you need to consider before taking a leap of faith into a different industry.
Here are three key things to do that will help to ensure your career change is a success.
1) Don’t be afraid to try different things
This is important if you know you want a career change but aren’t sure what you want to do. Explore LOTS of different roles and industries before you decide on one path.
This doesn’t mean starting and quitting jobs in quick succession – but simply getting a taster of what a new working world would be like. For example, you could shadow a friend or family member in their workplace or sign up for an online learning course before you decide to pursue that career.
Getting a taster in this way will reduce the likelihood of starting a new career that isn’t right for you.
2) Speak to people and network
It may be much easier to find great opportunities through people, rather than scouring the internet for potential jobs at home. They may have an opportunity you wouldn’t have even considered that turns out to be just what you’re looking for, that you never would have found otherwise.
If you don’t have a large network currently, start creating one. Speak to family and friends about your career change and see if they know of anything interesting. If not, make connections online. LinkedIn is a great way to network with individuals in almost every industry.
3) Consider the costs
Any career move is going to affect you financially, so it’s important to consider this before you jump into anything. Of course, it’s likely your annual salary will change.
If you need to take a pay cut initially to get started, make sure your family can manage with less money coming in. Also consider if you need to purchase specialist equipment before you start. If you go into hairdressing, for example, calculate the initial expense of salon hair dryers, sinks, products, brushes, accessories and more.
For other more office-based careers, you may need to purchase IT equipment, printers and so on. Put a strong financial plan in place that evaluates all costs and ensures you can realistically afford to do it.
And finally, it’s important to listen to your gut. You will know if something feels right or not, so follow your instincts and believe in yourself. It’s true that they say you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.
Photo by BBH Singapore
